In December 2005, West African religious and traditional leaders met with political officials and affirmed their commitment to eradicating female genital mutilation, saying that to abandon the practice is not to reject traditional or religious values.

Thirty practitioners of female circumcision in Abidjan have publicly laid aside their blades, knives and scissors. This is the result of an ongoing campaign led by the National Organisation for the Child, the Woman and the Family.

This new publication, edited by Lynn Welchman and Sara Hossain, arises from the practical insights and experiences of individuals and organisations addressing so-called ‘honour crimes’ in different geographic and social contexts.

In a special interview with IRIN, Yakin Ertürk said that the rule of law had been women's best friend globally, but that violence against women persisted everywhere, even in developed democracies, partly because so many abuses occur in the private sphere.